Calhoun dumpsMcGivney; Routtdefeats Greenfield

Pete Hayes, phayes@thetelegraph.com

Published
9:58 pm CST, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

PIASA — Marquette coach Steve Medford was looking for a few things in Tuesday’s Piasa Class 2A Regional semifinal against Staunton. The first, of course, was a victory. The Explorers took care of that as expected, rolling past Staunton 73-36 in a game that started at 6 p.m. in an effort to avoid predicted winter weather.

But Medford was also looking for many of the things that have helped the Explorers to a 28-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in this week’s Associated Press Class 2A state poll. He said he saw those Tuesday night as well.

“We talked to the kids about this and we reminded them at halftime,” Medford said. “You don’t want to let who you play dictate how you play. We’re looking for the same level of play every game, every quarter.

“The margin of error gets smaller and smaller every game in the playoffs.”

Marquette’s Chris Hartrich (5) scored 15 points Tuesday in his team’s 73-37 victory over Staunton in a semifinal of the Piasa Class 1A Regional at Southwestern. He is shown in action against Nokomis earlier this season.

Marquette’s Chris Hartrich (5) scored 15 points Tuesday in his team’s 73-37 victory over Staunton in a semifinal of the Piasa Class 1A Regional at Southwestern. He is shown in action against Nokomis earlier

Marquette’s Chris Hartrich (5) scored 15 points Tuesday in his team’s 73-37 victory over Staunton in a semifinal of the Piasa Class 1A Regional at Southwestern. He is shown in action against Nokomis earlier this season.

Marquette’s Chris Hartrich (5) scored 15 points Tuesday in his team’s 73-37 victory over Staunton in a semifinal of the Piasa Class 1A Regional at Southwestern. He is shown in action against Nokomis earlier

That mission was essentially accomplished as well, according to Medford.

“We made a few mistakes,” he said. “But overall, it was a good effort. Now we move on.”

The victory means the Explorers will advance to Friday’s 7 p.m. regional championship game and face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Greenville and Litchfield.

The Explorers jumped on the Bulldogs early Tuesday and rolled. They led 21-6 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

They extended the lead in the second quarter and pushed it to 32-8 with 4:41 left in the half, when Brett Terry sank a pair of free throws. A basket by Nate Hall made it 38-12. The teams traded baskets and it was 40-14 at halftime.

Showing that consistent level of play Medford wanted, the Explorers kept rolling in the second half.

After Staunton’s Dylan Hemann hit a trey to start the third quarter, Marquette went on an 11-4 run that made 51-21 when Terry made a layup with 1:46 left.

“We played a lot faster than we usually do,” Medford said.

The Explorers spread the scoring around, placing four players in double figures.

Chris Hartrich led the way with 15 points. Spencer Cox and Terry added 13 points each and Nick Hemann scored 10 points.

“We did spread it around again,” Medford said. “And our defense did what it does.”

That was bad news for Staunton, which committed 24 turnovers.

The Bulldogs, who finished 15-15, were led by senior Dylan Hemann, who scored 10 points. He was the only Staunton player in double figures.

“Our guys are resilient with the defense,” Medford said. “It may take us a quarter to get going, but it wears people out.

The Warriors (21-7) led 23-9 at the end of the first quarter, 45-22 at halftime and never looked back.

Baalman and Trevor Johnson each made three 3-point baskets for Calhoun. Johnson scored 13 points.

Calhoun will move on to Wednesday’s semifinals and a 7:30 p.m. matchup with Metro-East Lutheran which downed Mount Olive 64-42 in Tuesday’s other quarterfinal. In Wednesday’s other semifinal, No. 1 seed Madison will face Bunker Hill at 6 p.m.